Nippon Shaft Wins on PGA, European and Web.com Tours
Nippon Shaft scored a trifecta over the weekend, with winners on the PGA TOUR, European Tour and the Web.com Tour.
The winner of the Quicken Loans National used Nippon Shaft’s steel N.S. PRO MODUS³ 115 Wedge Shafts in his 54-degree sand wedge and in his 60-degree lob wedge. The 34-year-old Navy veteran shot 17-under par 267 on rounds of 66-65-67 and 69 to win by three shots at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Md. He earned $1.242 million for the victory, his first on the PGA TOUR.
“In consultation with Tour players, Nippon Shaft developed steel shafts specifically for use in wedges,” said Hiro Fukuda, sales and marketing for Nippon Shaft. “We are pleased that the winner of the Quicken Loans National was able to excel in his short game while using our products.”
In addition to the winner, Nippon Shaft players also finished 2nd and 3rd, utilising N.S. PRO MODUS3 Tour 120 TX steel shafts and N.S. PRO MODUS3 Tour 105 X steel shafts respectively.
The winner of the European Tour’s BMW International Open used Nippon Shaft’s N.S. PRO MODUS3 Tour 120 X steel shafts in his irons and wedges en route to a three-shot victory at Golf Club Gut Laerchenhof in Pulheim, Germany.
The 40-year-old Swede shot 17-under par on rounds of 68-65-67-71—271 and earned €333,330 for his victory. It was his 10th European Tour victory and should move him to No. 5 in the Official World Golf Rankings.
On the final day, he played 36 holes, as his Saturday round was canceled because of rainy weather.
“Nippon Shaft congratulates the 2016 champion of the BMW International Open and is proud that he used Nippon Shaft’s N.S. PRO MODUS3 Tour 120 X steel shafts in his wedges and irons to help carry him to victory,” said Fukuda.
In addition to the BMW International winner, Nippon Shaft players also finished 4th, 5th and 7th, utilising N.S. PRO MODUS3 Tour 120 X steel shafts, N.S. PRO MODUS3 Tour 130 steel shafts and N.S. PRO MODUS3 Tour 120 X steel shafts, respectively, in Germany.
Meanwhile, on the Web.com Tour, the champion of the Air Capital Classic used Nippon Shaft’s N.S. PRO MODUS3 Tour 130 X steel shafts in his irons and wedges en route to his first victory on the second hole of a three-man, sudden-death playoff.
With the victory, the 23-year-old Georgia Tech product earned one of 25 PGA TOUR cards – giving him playing privileges on the “big” tour starting next season – along with a winner’s check of $112,000. He shot 17-under par on rounds of 68-67-61-67 at Crestview Country Club in Wichita. His 9-under par 61 on Saturday tied the course record.
“Nippon Shaft is very proud to congratulate the winner of the Air Capital Classic not only on victory but on realising his dream of earning playing privileges on the PGA TOUR,” Fukuda said. “He not only has had a great amateur career but has played very consistently in his short time as a professional. We look forward to watching him as his career moves forward.”
Nippon Shaft’s popularity on the world’s major golf tours grew significantly in 2015, with 106 players on the PGA and European Tours combined utilising steel shafts built by the Japan-based golf shaft manufacturer, an increase of over 50 percent compared to the prior year when 70 major Tour pros used Nippon Shaft.
“Nippon Shaft is proud and gratified that its product penetration continues to experience meaningful growth year after year on the world’s major men’s golf tours,” said Fukuda.
In the 2014-15 season, Nippon Shaft players won 16 times on the world’s top tours, including the PGA TOUR, European Tour, Web.com Tour, Challenge Tour and the LPGA Tour.
Seven of the 30 contestants in the PGA TOUR’s TOUR Championship used Nippon Shaft steel shafts in their irons and/or wedges.
The iron shaft models used by golf’s elite players were the N.S. PRO 950GH, the N.S. PRO MODUS3 Tour 130, N.S. PRO MODUS3 Tour 120, N.S. PRO MODUS3 TOUR 105 shaft, and N.S. PRO MODUS3 PROTOTYPE ORA steel shafts.
In addition, more than 70 players used Nippon Shaft N.S. PRO MODUS3 WEDGE shafts, which were designed exclusively for wedges, utilising unique technologies that contribute to high levels of stability and feel in the short game. The WEDGE shafts were released to the public in March of 2015.
Meanwhile, Nippon Shaft continues to be the preferred shaft on the LPGA Tour, with several players having recorded victories on the world’s predominant women’s tour.
Over the years, Nippon Shaft recorded hundreds of victories on professional golf tours worldwide, as the best players in the world increasingly chose to install in their irons steel shafts manufactured in Japan to unparalleled quality standards.
Nippon Shaft products are available globally either as stock or custom shafts in many of the world’s top iron brands. In addition, Nippon Shaft products are available through Nippon Shaft’s dedicated global club fitter network. Details of these can be found at www.nipponshaft.com
Nippon Shaft manufactures all of its steel and graphite shafts in a state-of-the-art factory in Komagane, Japan. The company’s integrated production lines are strictly monitored and controlled with thorough checks conducted responsibly through the entire production process. As a result, Nippon Shaft is able to control high product quality – from material selection to final testing.
Based in Yokohama, Japan, Nippon Shaft is the No. 1-selling steel shaft in Asia. Nippon Shaft is a privately-held subsidiary of NHK Spring Co. LTD, a Japanese automobile parts manufacturer. Nippon Shaft’s North American headquarters is in Carlsbad.